When 24-year-old Colette Carr’s single “Never Gonna Happen” from her debut Skitszo landed her on the Billboard Dance-Club chart two years ago, she knew there was no turning back. This summer, the songwriter will drop her follow-up EP Static. Start. While the vibrant, cheeky pop is still there, Carr’s evolution as a musician—as well as her vulnerability—is  highlighted in the new EP. "It really shows off a side of myself that I was terrified of. I took a risk. I wanted to...push myself to sing about experiences I didn't even want to talk about." Carr talks about

Hometown: I was born and grew up in Los Angeles. I'm [now] bouncing around LA, currently in Brentwood, aka The Jungle.

How did you start rapping and singing?

In high school my ex-boyfriend starting free-style battling after school on Fridays. He was soooo terrible that I started ghost writing for him, and that transitioned into me writing funny songs for my friends, which turned into me writing serious songs for myself.

Was your family musical? Is that how you got into it?

Nobody in my family sings or plays any instruments but they have very good taste in music so I grew up listening to a lot of my influencers: The Cure, The Smiths, Depeche Mode, Visage, Neil Young, Blondie. I [also] love great storytellers like Suzanne Vega, Method Man, Morrissey and Deborah Harry.

When did you realize you wanted to be a real musician for life?

I jumped on stage at a UCLA “The Game” concert and free-styled for the crowd, and I was instantly hooked by the feeling of being up on stage.

Describe your music to someone who has never heard your songs.

I would categorize my new sound as Euro-influenced indie-pop. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to strip down and get more vulnerable with my lyrics and vocals. I'm really excited about this chapter it feels uncomfortable and scary and that’s how I know I'm growing, I'm so far outside of my usual "box."

You worked with Frankmusik on your new EP, Static. Start. What was that like?

Frankmusik brings out the best in me. It was an incredible learning experience I am really appreciative for the time and love he put into the project.

What were your inspirations for the EP?

Vulnerability. Everyday life. All of the relationship problems I didn't even want to talk about, I ended up singing about.

What's your music-writing process like? Do the beats come first or the rhymes?

Sometimes I think of the chorus and melody and come in the studio singing my idea, but most of the time we start with the piano or the drums and go from there.

Who else would you love to collaborate with?

I love collaborating with friends or friends of friends, it feels natural. It's a lot more fun in the studio when it happens organically versus through managers or A & Rs.

What else do you do for fun?

I paint. I love to paint and draw and jump in the ocean on my days off.

What's the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?

I have the greatest Goers (fans) so many things that have warmed my heart and made me cry came to mind when reading this question. I remember the first time I saw a Goer dressed like me head to toe in the outfit from my "Bitch Like Me" video I was probably more nervous to meet her than she was me. I've received such lovely, hand-made, thoughtful gifts like hats, T-shirts and posters. One fan traveled hours on a train to meet me at a mall in London, that was really special. I can't say enough about my Goers and the sweet things they've done for me. A couple young adorable girls made mix tapes of my music and spent the whole day at the mall with huge Colette Carr signs and handed the CDs out for free to "spread the word." I am so lucky.

You have a very distinct look. Who is your style idol?

The sweetest woman, Nony Tochterman is the designer behind the brand Petro Zillia. She has amazing style and individualism. The Olsen twins’ style is very on point, and whoever the creator of the Snuggie is, they really get me.